Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch star Nick McGlashan, who died at age 33, was one of the TV personalities lost in 2020. McGlashan’s death came as a shock for colleagues and viewers who remember him as the deck boss on the Discovery Channel’s TV show. At 33, the fisherman still had his whole life planned ahead of him.
TMZ first reported Nick McGlashan’s death. While it is confirmed he passed away on Sunday, December 27, 2020, his cause of death was unknown when news of his death first broke out. Here’s a look at Deadliest Catch Nick McGlashan’s adventurous life, career, death, and tributes from family and friends.
Nick McGlashan’s Early Life
Nick McGlashan came from generations of fishermen who had lived their lives on the sea. Born on August 1, 1987, McGlashan was a seventh-generation fisherman born in Anchorage, Alaska. McGlashan was reportedly raised on the island of Akutan, where his goals and passion was to get into the family business and make them proud.
McGlashan was reportedly named after his great-uncle. Tales have been told for generations within the family that this great uncle was part of the crew on the Deep Sea and pioneered the U.S. crab industry. Nick McGlashan’s first fishing experience was on his father’s boat, Wrestling, at age 13.
Nick McGlashan on Deadliest Catch
According to his bio on Discovery, Nick McGlashan “was known for his witty quips, working through the pain, and not stopping until the job was done. He was described as the epitome of a true crabber, and will be missed dearly.” Nick McGlashan was a well-known and beloved Deadliest Catch TV show member. He first appeared on the show in 2013 as part of the crew of Cape Caution.
True to himself, McGlashan quickly made a lasting impression on fans and fellow crew members alike. Nick’s time on the show was marked by his hard work, dedication, and colorful personality. He was known for his fearless approach to the dangerous job of crab fishing in the Bering Sea and his unwavering commitment to his crew and the success of their fishing expeditions. Throughout his time on Deadliest Catch, McGlashan faced numerous challenges and personal struggles, including addiction issues.
As a member of the Summer Bay crew, Nick experienced the highs and lows of crab fishing in one of the most treacherous environments on the planet. Audiences watched him rise through the ranks, from deckhand to deck boss. McGlashan also appeared in several spin-offs as a crewman at the Summer Bay or Cape Caution. Nick McGlashan appeared in 86 episodes of Deadliest Catch from 2013 to 2021 (posthumously).
Nick McGlashan’s Cause of Death
About two months after Nick McGlashan’s death, this cause of death was revealed after The Sun got hold of his autopsy report. According to the report, Nick McGlashan died of a drug overdose in his Nashville hotel bathroom. The autopsy report stated, “This 33-year-old male was found unresponsive in the bathroom of his hotel room… EMS responded and confirmed asystole.”
It further stated, “the decedent had a known history of illicit drug abuse.’ The manner of death was ruled as an accident, with the cause of death stated as “toxic effects of methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl.” According to The Sun’s report, Nick McGlashan had traveled from his home in Reddick, Florida, to meet with friends in Nashville, Tennessee.
Nick McGlashan’s Tributes
Unsurprisingly, as a well-known cast member on Discovery’s Deadliest Catch and formidable fisherman, the network and colleagues left tributes for Nick McGlashan. Discovery shared a statement with PEOPLE stating, “Our deepest sympathy goes out to Nick’s loved ones during this difficult time. Nick came from a long line of crabbers and was known for his great depth of knowledge. He also had a sharp sense of humor even in the most difficult conditions. He will be deeply missed by all those who knew him.” McGlashan’s sister, Lydia, also left a tribute on X (formerly Twitter), “My brother Nick passed away. This is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to go through. Please hold your loved ones tight.”
Audiences of Deadliest Catch know Capt. “Wild” Bill Wichrowski would be the greatest hit by the news. Bill took Nick like a son and family. It was an emotional moment when he received the news on a phone call, with camera’s rolling. Nick McGlashan is survived by his two children, Lennyn Richardson and Kane Hammond; his parents, Bruce Lanford and June McGlashan; his sisters, Melissa McGlashan and Lydia Dirks; and his brother, Michael Dirks Jr. Besides Nick McGlashan, who died at 33, here’s My 600-lb Life star Gina Krasley, who died at 30.
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